Ayabe Shrine

Ayabe Shrine
綾部神社
Religion
AffiliationShinto
DeityHachiman
TypeHachiman shrine
Location
LocationMiyaki, Saga, Saga Prefecture, Japan
Geographic coordinates33°21′38″N 130°26′28″E / 33.36055°N 130.44113°E / 33.36055; 130.44113
Architecture
FounderAyabe Shirodayu Michitoshi
Date established1205
Website
www.town.miyaki.lg.jp
Glossary of Shinto

Ayabe Shrine (綾部神社) is a shrine of the kami Hachiman, located in Miyaki, Saga, Saga Prefecture, Japan.

Information

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In July 1189, Ayabe Shirodayu Michitoshi, prayed for victory in the Battle of Ōshū. After the battle had ended, he was given land as a reward.[1] He then donated some of the land to have a shrine built on it.[2] Ayabe Shrine was then built in 1205,[3][1] at the foot of what was once Ayabe Castle.[4][5]

The shrine is also known as the oldest meteorological observatory in Japan.[6] On July 15 every year, flags are raised on trees at the shrine. After five days, the location of the flag is used to predict future weather events.[1] A festival is held every year with various Shinto rituals and sumo wrestling to mark the event.[1][7][8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d 綾部八幡神社 [Ayabe Hachiman Shrine] (in Japanese), Miyaki Sanpo, 2013, retrieved 13 March 2023
  2. ^ 綾部八幡神社 [Ayabe Hachiman Shrine] (in Japanese), Komainu.org, retrieved 13 March 2023
  3. ^ 開運!御朱印巡りの旅(綾部八幡神社・伊勢神社・男女神社) [Good Luck! Traveling around Goshuin (Ayabe Hachiman Shrine, Ise Shrine, Men and Women Shrine)] (in Japanese), Saga TV, 2019, retrieved 13 March 2023
  4. ^ 宮山城 [Miyayama Castle] (in Japanese), hb.pei.jp, 2016, retrieved 13 March 2023
  5. ^ <知っとるね>みやき町の「綾部城址」 [<Know it> Ayabe Castle Ruins in Miyaki Town] (in Japanese), Saga-s.co.jp, 2021, retrieved 13 March 2023
  6. ^ Hoshino, Raku (2019), 天候と豊凶、神旗で占う 「最古の気象台」綾部八幡神社 [The oldest weather observatory, Ayabe Hachiman Shrine] (in Japanese), Nishi Nippon, retrieved 13 March 2023
  7. ^ 綾部神社の旗上げ神事(みやき町) [Flag-raising ritual at Ayabe Shrine (Miyaki Town)] (in Japanese), Saga Plus, 2016, retrieved 13 March 2023
  8. ^ 綾部神社 旗上げ神事 [Ayabe Shrine flag-raising ritual] (in Japanese), Yukoyuko.net, 2021, retrieved 13 March 2023